5th Adds 5: 5th Avenue South adds five new businesses

5th Avenue South welcomes five new businesses: New England Investment and Retirement Group, Salon East, Area Home and Design, La Trattoria and La Pescheria.

New England Investment and Retirement Group is in the investment advisory and wealth management business. The company has been in business for 23 years, after operating successfully from the Boston area since 1995. The fastest growing portion of their business is business succession, where the company prepares businesses for sale; there is even a separate arm of the company dedicated to dealing with this, called Business Succession Advisors.

Since opening on October 1, 2018, New England Investment and Retirement Group has had an extremely positive experience on 5th Avenue South. Founder and President Nick Giacoumakis was eager to move the offices to 5th Avenue because of the high traffic volume, and their location in the Hoffman Executive Suites directly above The French has been an ideal space for their 16 employees.

Salon East is a hair salon originally from East Hampton, New York specializing in cutting, coloring, color correction, event hair and makeup. The salon has an extremely loyal client base, with customers traveling from the Midwest, Canada, and Germany to have their hair done at Salon East. Co-owner JoAnn Gustafson is a Board-Certified Master Colorist and “loves to personalize beauty and see the uniqueness of every client” and believes a warm atmosphere and team approach are essential to her mission of making feeling beautiful accessible to all.

After opening their doors on September 15, 2018 at 524 Park Street, the salon has seen a successful season so far and already has plans for growth.

Area Home and Design is a high-end residential design and renovation store located at 331 5th Avenue South. After opening on December 20, 2018, the store has already seen impressive foot traffic and sales. Owner Joel Hartman describes the content of the store as mid-century modern, but the content changes based on season and trends. Area Home and Design makes custom cabinetry and has an exclusive furniture line called Twist Modern, from Naples’ own Michael Cape. The store manages projects large and small, whether focused on the entire home or materials such as tile and window treatments.

Bruce Barone, Jr., Executive Director of the 5th Avenue South Business Improvement District, is thrilled about the Avenue’s recent growth. “5th Avenue is glad to welcome these new businesses. This mix certainly adds a new flare to the Avenue’s current business directory, and further establishes us as Naples’ main street – a place you can find it all,” says Barone, Jr.

La Trattoria, a new Italian pizzeria and restaurant located steps away from the entrance of 5th Avenue, opened on January 3rd at 878 5th Avenue South. From the owners of Caffe Milano, La Trattoria is new to the Avenue, but its partners are well acquainted with its charm.

La Trattoria specializes in serving authentic Neapolitan pizza with light and airy dough. The rustic Italian restaurant also offers hearty homemade pasta, cheese, bread, fish and meat. The easygoing family style restaurant has imported nearly all of their appliances and ingredients from Italy, from the oven to the dough mixer. La Trattoria aims to create the warm ambiance felt in authentic family-style Italian restaurants.

La Pescheria is a new seafood restaurant located at 474 5th Avenue South. From the owners of Molto Trattoria, La Pescheria provides guests with an interactive dining experience that empowers them to make purchasing decisions that support healthy oceans. Each meal is prepared by top chefs who bring the stories of the evening to life through each course.

Since opening on December 20, 2018, La Pescheria has seen tremendous success. “It’s very exciting that both of these new restaurants were opened by existing business owners on 5th Avenue. It shows the success and vibrancy of the Avenue and we look forward to supporting these two owners in their future endeavors,” adds Barone, Jr.

About 5th Avenue South Business Improvement District

The 5th Avenue South Business Improvement District (BID) was established in 2010 to promote 5th Avenue South through avenue enhancement, marketing, events and business and property services. Its mission is to brand, promote and create awareness of the 5th Avenue South Business Improvement District to residents and visitors as the destination of choice to live, work, shop, dine and play. Managed by a board of directors’ representative of district boundaries, the BID represents the interests of both property owners and businesses in growing and sustaining a healthy, vibrant 5th Avenue South district. The BID is located at 649 5th Avenue S and can be reached at (239) 692-8436.